5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

2002 Maxima - How hard should I have to push to get driver side axle in?

Old 09-03-2015, 07:50 AM
  #1  
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
 
boomerbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
2002 Maxima - How hard should I have to push to get driver side axle in?

Having problems getting the driver side axle in. I can feel the axle engage the splines. Then when I turn the axle you can hear it is engaged with the transmission and it won't turn. However I can't get it to go all the way in. From what I have read it should slide in rather easily when lined up. Is that correct?
boomerbrian is offline  
Old 09-03-2015, 08:47 AM
  #2  
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
 
boomerbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
Looks like it is the clip. I took it off and it went in fine. Guess I will try and see if I can compress the clip a bit.
boomerbrian is offline  
Old 09-03-2015, 08:57 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DennisMik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 10,649
In theory the axle should go in without very much effort. The problem is that theory and reality don't always agree with each other.

If you are having difficulty getting the axle in, it may be due in part to the snap ring that is on the end of the splines that goes into the differential. This snap ring has to compress for the axle to go in all the way. You have to get the axle to go in perfectly straight so the snap ring will compress into the groove. This is easier said than done.

All I can say is just keep trying. One time I installed an axle and it went in on the first try. Then I had to remove the axle because I forgot something and then it took me a good half hour or more of trying to get it back in. Totally frustrating.
DennisMik is offline  
Old 09-03-2015, 09:11 AM
  #4  
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
 
boomerbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
I can't seem to get it. Feel like the strut is keeping me from having a straight shot. From what I have read most don't remove the strut.
boomerbrian is offline  
Old 09-03-2015, 10:30 AM
  #5  
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
 
boomerbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
I ended up dropping the strut. Got a second set of hands to hold it straight and tapped it a few times with the rubber mallet and it popped right in. Probably should have tried that earlier instead of wasting 3 hours.
boomerbrian is offline  
Old 10-31-2018, 10:10 AM
  #6  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
stackcarguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
i usually take a bungy cord or rope tie it either to the front end or towards the driver door to hole it out of the way you would have to loosen the 3 bolts holding the strutt in
stackcarguy is offline  
Old 10-31-2018, 10:25 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (51)
 
Fakie J Farkerton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: KCK
Posts: 5,192
Originally Posted by stackcarguy
i usually take a bungy cord or rope tie it either to the front end or towards the driver door to hole it out of the way you would have to loosen the 3 bolts holding the strutt in
2015
Fakie J Farkerton is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The Law
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
30
05-29-2012 09:32 AM
Crusher103
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
22
11-10-2008 12:00 PM
modenaf1
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
14
07-30-2008 12:32 AM
BumbleB80
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
09-08-2006 07:24 PM
goldtooth
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
06-22-2006 11:02 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 2002 Maxima - How hard should I have to push to get driver side axle in?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:56 AM.